UAB’s Give Something, Change Everything, off to a good start online

Online contributions over six months since the public launch of The Campaign for UAB: Give Something, Change Everything, the most ambitious fundraising initiative in the history of the University of Alabama at Birmingham, have already surpassed total online gifts from the entire previous fiscal year.

With a dropdown menu and fill-in-the-blank option, the online giving tool allows a donor to direct monies to the passion of his or her choice.

“We educate, cure disease through research and patient care, enrich lives through the arts, and make our state and our world a better place to live,” said UAB Vice President Shirley Salloway Kahn. “This is a rare opportunity to contribute to a very specific initiative, while at the same time supporting a bigger picture in our city and region that extends to a national and global impact.”

So far in fiscal year 2013/2014, beginning October 2013, more than $250,000 was gifted online. Through the same six-month period a year ago, $159,396 had been received; $242,484 was given online during the whole of that fiscal year, 2012/2013.

“Community members, businessmen and -women, individuals passionate about wiping out cancer or Parkinson’s disease, fans of the arts and athletics, and proponents of downtown revitalization are just a few examples. We’re well on our way to raising $500,000 online this year. Every gift matters, and it is thrilling to see that UAB matters to these people.”

“This is a time of great momentum, not just for UAB and the programs and people this campaign supports, but for Birmingham and the region,” Kahn said. “The importance of the role UAB has played and will continue to play in our community and for our economy is evident in the diversity of online donors and their gifts.”

Online contributions this fiscal year, which have ranged from $1 to $50,000, have not been limited to UAB alumni and grateful Health System patients. Gifts have come from many without a UAB affiliation.

“Community members, businessmen and -women, individuals passionate about wiping out cancer or Parkinson’s disease, fans of the arts and athletics, and proponents of downtown revitalization are just a few examples,” Kahn said. “We’re well on our way to raising $500,000 online this year. Every gift matters, and it is thrilling to see that UAB matters to these people.”

Participation has also come from within; at least $35 million of the $1 billion goal is expected from UAB faculty and staff, many of whom have set up automatic monthly payments to the campaign.